Combined freight and stock car.



J. B. SHELATON. COMBINED FREIGHT AND STOCK` CAR.

APucATloN msu rsa. 1s. 191e l.,@574. Patented Nova 21, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

E@ n g D l, B. SHELTQN.

COMBINED FREIGHT AND SYGCK CAR n APPLICM'EON mm FEB. Hi. i916. L. Patented Non 21,1916.

4 SHLETS-SHEET 2.

J. B. SHELTON.

COMBINED FRElGHT AND STOCK GAR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. i6. |916.

l ,Qs Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

LB. SHELTON. COMBINED FREIGHT AND STOCK CAR.

APPLICATION HLED'FEB-16. |916.

1,205,674. Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

4 SHEETS-'SHEET 4.

UNTJ STATES AQTENT ffffltlhl.

JOHN BELL SHELTGN, OF SAN ERANCISCO, CALFOBNIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHELTON ADJUSTABLE DOUBLE DECK GAR CO., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

COMBINED FREIGHT AND STOCK CAR.

Application filed February 16, 1916.

To all whom fit may concern Be it known that l, JOHN BELL Srrnn'roN, citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Combined Freight and Stock Cars, and declarey the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to a combinedfreight and stock car shown in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the following specification and claims.

Among the objects of the present invention is an improvement in the general con struction of the adjustable platform, and means for supporting the same, the depth or thickness of the platform being materially reduced over structures of a similar character; while the rigidity and strength. of its construction is materially increased.

One of the objects of the invention is to construct the frame of the adjustable deck with a plurality of longitudinal channel irons and I-beams, connected by suitable cross members, and transverse metallic strips, to which are bolted cross timbers to receive a longitudinally arranged flooring spiked thereto, upon which is nailed a iiooring consisting of boards transversely laid.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of platform or deck supports mounted in the deck frame and adapted to be projected from each side of the deck, so as to overlap the usual longitudinal strips forming the walls of a stock car, to support the deck in its elevated position. In place of the usual wooden strips, how ever, iron bars may be attached to the upright members of the car frame to receive the overlapping projecting ends of the deck supports. f

Another feature of the invention consists in connecting these several supporting deY Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 78,559.

vices into groups, whereby two or more may be 'simultaneously operated :--means being also shown to support the deck by devices pivoted to a suitable casting bolted 4to the upright members of the car frame and which are likewise connected in groups to be si- :rfnultaneously operated to support the platorm.

Another featurel of the invention consists in providing relatively long traveling beams, to which are attached cables for raising the adjustable platform or deck, mounted upon a right and left screw-threaded shaft in turn supported by suitable hangers from the roof frame :-means being provided for manually rotating the shaft, that the traveling beams may be actuated toward each other, or in opposite directions to vraise or lower the deck.

@ne of the features of the present construction consists in providing traveling beams of a length practically equivalent to the width of the interior of the car, that the hoisting cables attached to the ends of the beam may be supported by sheaves attached to the side walls of the car frame intermediate of its ends, instead of employing relatively short beams requiring cables of sufficient length to reach the ends ofthe car as has been the usual practice. The cables are thus comparatively short and correspondingly less expensive, and being connected to the platform midwav of its ends, there is less liability of the platform sagging under its load.

Another feature of the invention consists in means carried by the rotatable shaft to provide against end thrust of the latter the means in the embodiment shown consisting of suitable collars secured to the ro tatable shaft adapted to bear against the hangers for supporting1 the latter.

Another feature of t ie invention consists in providing means for preventing the spreading of the longitudinal frame members of the adjustable platform.

Another feature consists in providing` inpans for preventing the spreading of the plates between which the ratchet wheel of the lever employed for operating the rotatable shaft is mounted.

Other advantages and improvements will hereafter appear.

ln the drawings accompanying this specilicationz-Figure 1 is an elevation of a car with one portion in longitudinal section, showing the adjustable platform raised to form a double deck stock car. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the roof framing showing the rotatable shaftand,traveling bea-ms supported thereby, and the sheaves for carrying the cables bolted to the side members of the car frame. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the adjustable deck with parts broken away to more clearly disclose its construction. Fig. l is a cross sectional vie Y through the car showing the deck raised and the supporting devices adjusted to overlap the longitudinal side rails of the car walls. Fig. is a similar cross sectional view with the supporting devices withdrawn, and the deck lowered to the floor of the car. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic plan view of the car body and the adjustable deck with parts in section, showing the deck supporting device withdrawn from engagement with the rails on one side of the car, as when the deck is lowered ;-the opposite side showing the supporting devices engaged with the longitudinal side rails of the car wall as they would appear when the platform was raised to form a double deck car. Fig. 7 shows a detail with parts in elevation and section, of a modification of the means for supporting the adjust able deck. Fig. S shows the device indicated in Fig. 7 raised out of the path of the platform that the latter may be lowered to the oor of the car. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the device indicated in Fig. 7 secured to one of the posts (in section) of the car frame, showing a fragment of the rail connecting the devices together, that they may be simultaneously operated. F ig. 10 is an elevation of the device shown in Fig. 7 attached to a fragment of the car frame looking at the device from the inside of the car.y Fig. 1l is an elevation of the ratchet lever showing the overlapping lip of the plate carried by the lever, between which the ratchet wheel is -inounted Fig. 12 is a view of the lever at right angles to Fig. 11.

Referring now to the letters of reference placed upon the drawings A, denotes a freight car; B, a relatively short right and left screw-threaded shaft extending longitudinally within the car and supported by suitable hangers B, secured to the roof timbers C.

B2, indicates a ratchet lever for manually actuating the shaft.

b, b, are plates bolted to the operating'lever, between which is journaled a ratchet wheel b, actuated by a suitable dog '52;- and to insure against spreading of the plates 7), in operation, a hook-shaped portion b2, is formed integral with one of the plates and adapted to overlap its opposing plate, as indicated in Fig. 12.

B3, B3, denote collars on the shaft B, to secure the shaft against end thrust.

D, and D, are long traveling beams, carried by the right and left screw-threaded portions of the shaft 13g-extending from. the shaft to each side of the car, the ends of the beam being fitted with eye bolts or other means for securing hoisting cables thereto.

E, E, and E, E', are hoisting cables secured to the ends of the respective beams I), D, supported by sheaves l?, bolted to the. side walls of the car. v

.,i, indicates an adjustable deck, to which the respective cables E, E, are connected by hoisting bracketS 0, bolted to the sills of the deck. The deck G, comprises a rectangular frame H, constructed of channel Virons H, forming its side sills g-connected together at their ends by angle irons H2.

I, I, are longitudinally arranged Ifbeams bolted to the angle irons H2, of the rectangular frame H.

J, denote metallic strips bolted to the under side of thesills H, and to the intermediate longitudinal I-beains of the rectangular frame H. Y V

K, indicate cross timbers bolted to the respective strips J. Y

L, are longitudinally arranged floor boards spiked to the cross timbers K;- and M, are transverse floor boards nailed to the longitudinal boards l, beneath.

M, are filler blocks for the door way of the car, bolted to the channel irons H.

N, is a centrally located brace rod extending beneath the intermediate -beams, with its threaded ends projecting through openings in the side channel irons H, the ends being threaded to receive nuts N, to secure the channel irons vagainst spreading.

C, denotes a plurality of slidable bolts projecting through apertures provided forVV their reception in the channel irons sills and the intermediate I-beams, said bolts being adapted to be manually projected beyond the sides of the 'platform to overlap the rails P, of the car wall.

C', indicates a bar connecting two or more of the bolts together, whereby they may be simultaneously actuated.

The outer end of the bolts O, are preferably provided with a hooked portion O2, designed to engage the rails l), to insure against accidental withdrawal of the bolts due to the jar incident to the movement of the car.

O3, are stops, which mayor may not be employed to limit the maximum movement of the bolts.

In Figs. 'to l0 are shownfa modification of the means for supporting the deck when elevated, comprising a casting Q, bolted to the upright members of the car frame.

R, is a swinging hooked deck support pivoted at 7', to the casting Q. The rear end of the swinging deck-support R, bears upwardly against the overlapping portion y, of the casting, indicated in Fig. 9, while the forward portion of the deck support on the opposite side of its pivot bears downwardly upon the portion g, of the casting Q, beneath the deck support,-as indicated in Fig. 10, when the device is in position. (see Fig. 7) to receive and support the deck.

It, is a rail bolted to the respective deck supports R, to provide for simultaneous manual operation of two or more of the supporting devices.

Having indicated the several parts by reference letters, the construction and operation of my invention will be readily understood. TvlVhen employed as an ordinary freight car, the adjustable deck rests upon the Hoor of the car. To adapt the car for carrying small stock, the adjustable deck is raised by the rotation of the shaft through the manual operation of the ratchet lever. The traveling beams, to which the platform is secured by the cables are thus drawn toward each other, thereby raising the platform as will be readily understood.. llVhen elevated to the height desired, the platform supporting bolts are forced outwardly that they may overlap the side rails of the car wall.

Instead of supporting the platform upon the usual side rails forming the side walls, angle irons or other metallic members may be bolted to the walls to receive the supporting bolts, as previously explained. The platform is thus securely held until it is again desired to employ the car for carrying ordinary freight, when the supporting devices are withdrawn and the deck lowered to the floor of the car by a reverse operation of the ratchet lever.

The construction of the adjustable deck shown in the present embodiment has enabled me to reduce its thickness ;-thereby increasing the carrying capacity of the car and materially adding to the strength of the platform.

By providing traveling beams extending from side to side of the car and connecting the latter with the platform intermediate of its length, I insure the platform against sagging under its load, while the cost of the hoisting cable is materially reduced. By mounting the deck supports beneath the. movable platform, they are protected against injury when the car is used for shipping ordinary freight g-the deck affording protection from contact therewith.

I do not wish to limit myself to a deck supporting device carried by the platform, as it is obvious that other means adapted for simultaneous manual operation may be employed, as for example the modification shown in Figs. 7 to 10 of the drawings.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a car, a rotatable shaft located within the car having right and left screwthreaded portions, a traveling beam extending from side to side of the car fitted to each screw-threaded portion of the shaft, a movable platform adapted to rest upon the floor of the car when not in use, cables connecting the ends of the travelingbeams with the sides of the platform intermediate of its length, a plurality of sheaves bolted to the side walls of the car for supporting and guiding said cables,`and manually actua-ted means carried by the shaft adapted to rotate the latter in either direction, whereby the platform may be raised or lowered.

2. In a device of the character described, a movable platform, a plurality of slidable bolts carried by the frame of the platform adapted to be projected beyond the edge of the platform into engagement with the walls of the car, whereby the platform may be supported when adjusted, and means connecting two or more of the slidable bolts together, whereby they may be simultaneously and manually actuated. Y

3. In a car, a rotatable shaft located within the car, traveling beams extending from side to side of the car and fitted to the rotatable shaft, a movable platform, cables connecting said traveling beams and the sides of said platform intermediate its length, and means for rotating said rotatable shaft to raise or lower said platform.

el.. In a car, a rotatable shaft, located within the car, traveling beams extending from side to side of the car and tted to the rotatable shaft, a movable platform, cables connecting said traveling beams and the sides of the platform intermediate its length, means for rotating said rotatable shaft to raise or lower said platform and means carried by the platform for supporting it in any adjusted position.

5. In a. car, a rotatable shaft located within the car having right and left screw threaded portions, a traveling beam extending from side to side of the car fitted to each screw threaded portion of the shaft, a movable platform, cables connecting the ends of the traveling beams with Ithe sides of the platform intermediate its length, means for rotating the rotatable shaft and thereby raise and lower said platform and means carried by the platform for supporting it in any adjusted position.

6. ln a oar, a rotatable shaft located Within the car, traveling beams mounted on the rotatable shaft and extending ,from side to side of the oar, a movable platform, meansv connecting the platform and the traveling beams, means for rotating the rotatable shaft and thereby raising or lowering said platform and a plurality of sliding bolts carried by the platform for supporting it in any adjusted position, and means for 15 operating said sliding bolts in unison.

7. In a oar, a movable platform therein, means for supporting said platform When adjusted, comprising a plurality of slidable bolts supported in the platform, said bolts having hook-shaped ends adapted to engage the .sides of the oar and support said platform in its adjusted position, and means connecting a plurality of said boltsv together whereby they may be operated in unison.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specification in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN BELL SHELTON.

Witnesses ZENA PARKER, E. D. PRATT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patent Washington, D. G. Y Y 

